Site Mobile Navigation

PUSH FOR CHANGES AT AMTRAK IS SEEN IN SHAPING BUDGET

Amtrak's problem-plagued summer has reignited debate over the railroad, leading critics of the rail system to say it will enhance their efforts to hold down spending on Amtrak unless significant changes are made in how it operates.

But Congressional allies of Amtrak say the railroad's troubles underscore the integral role it plays in travel, particularly in the Northeast, and could create a political opening for them to win new money and for Congress to move aggressively to improve Amtrak.

As both sides seize on the railroad's turmoil to press their positions, the one point on which they agree is that the mechanical defects that temporarily sidelined the vaunted new high-speed Acela trains -- coming after a hastily assembled financial bailout and a series of accidents -- will intensify the push for changes when Congress takes up Amtrak spending next month.

''I think the events of the summer have served to galvanize attention among public policy makers not just in Washington, but in the states, on the need to look at this issue,'' Michael P. Jackson, deputy secretary at the Department of Transportation, said today.

Representative John L. Mica, Republican of Florida and a proponent of breaking up Amtrak, called the Acela problem ''one more example of them not being able to get it right.'' Asserting that the mechanical problems point to deeper troubles that are not easily fixed, Mr. Mica added, ''I think my position is gaining momentum.''

Advocacy groups also said they had no doubt that the Acela disruption would figure prominently in the coming debate, though they argued it was unwarranted.

''Somebody will say it proves that Amtrak is not fund-worthy, but I am trying to figure out what the logic would be,'' said Scott Leonard, assistant director of the National Association of Railroad Passengers. ''If anything, management has done something good through the inspection process'' that uncovered cracks in parts of the Acela trains.

Others are trying to use the railroad's problems to get more money for the system.

''We have an opportunity right now with Amtrak, the problems we have been through and the history,'' said Senator Patty Murray, Democrat of Washington and the chairwoman of the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee. ''It leaves us at a point where we have to say, are we going to fund this at what it needs, and what is the federal role going to be?''

Ms. Murray's committee has agreed to spend $1.2 billion on Amtrak in 2003, more than twice what the Bush administration has requested. Norman Y. Mineta, the transportation secretary, said this summer that he would not agree to any more financing without major changes in Amtrak.

Backers of Amtrak say they hope to try to get a figure close to $1.2 billion through Congress this fall. Then, they said, they would move quickly to work out long-range fixes after November in the brief window before the 2004 elections complicate what is always a politically tinged subject.

''Now is the time,'' said Representative Jack Quinn, Republican of New York and chairman of the Transportation Subcommittee on Railroads.

After cracks were discovered in a part designed to keep the Acela locomotive from swaying, Amtrak suspended its popular new service on Aug. 13 and disrupted travel for business people and others who had turned to the railroad to avoid airport inconvenience after the Sept. 11 attacks. Amtrak restored service for most of its trains sooner than expected, but other cracks were found and the railroad has since struggled to maintain capacity.

The Acela problems followed threats of a systemwide shutdown in June that was averted only by a last-minute deal between the railroad, Congress and the White House to provide $205 million to keep Amtrak running until Oct. 1. Amtrak has also had several accidents this year, including a fatal derailment of its auto train in Florida in April.

An error has occurred. Please try again later.

You are already subscribed to this email.

Supporters of rail travel said the trouble caused by the anticipated loss of train service because of the June financial crunch and the temporary loss of Acela trains showed how dependent travelers are on intercity train service provided by Amtrak.

''What I think the Acela demonstrates is that there is definitely an appetite among the traveling public in well-traveled corridors for alternatives to airplanes,'' said Mike Rivera, director of government relations at the High Speed Ground Transportation Association. Mr. Rivera said Congress and the administration need to come to agreement on a national passenger rail policy.

But the first fight will be over the appropriations measure. One House member said he believed appropriators could be persuaded to match the Senate's $1.2 billion, but the administration could balk at that figure.

In a June speech, Mr. Mineta outlined steps Amtrak should take, including cutting routes, selling track, allowing competition for routes and having states share the costs.

State officials and lawmakers have already objected to aspects of that plan. Mr. Quinn called the state cost-sharing a ''nonstarter.''

Mr. Jackson, the transportation deputy, said the administration would consider an amount above the $521 million sought by President Bush, but only if tied to a ''meaningful downpayment'' on Amtrak changes.

''Money without reform keeps Amtrak on the rail to perdition,'' said Trent Duffy, a spokesman for the Office of Management and Budget. ''It just guarantees continued poor service, delays, higher ticket prices and a future shutdown of service.''

If lawmakers and the White House can reach agreement on the appropriation for fiscal 2003, Mr. Quinn said he hoped Congress could then turn quickly to more sweeping legislation with some long-term changes.

He has proposed a measure that ties more money for Amtrak to new requirements for increased federal review of Amtrak and its business plans. In the Senate, the Commerce Committee has passed a measure that would authorize financing for Amtrak through 2007, but Ms. Murray said that bill was being blocked from the floor.

Mr. Mica has also proposed a bill that would spin off parts of Amtrak, and Senator John McCain, Republican of Arizona, has a measure that promotes a similar approach.

''They are willing to pour money into a Band-Aid approach,'' said Mr. Mica, a senior member of the Transportation Committee, about Amtrak supporters in Congress. ''What it needs is a major structural overhaul.''